Tuesday 25th November
Today, after 43 years, I got to come in person to the Falklands to say goodbye to Ali. A promise I made my mum, now fulfilled. The gratitude and honour the islanders hold for everyone who assisted in 1982 is amazing, but a special place for those who gave their lives for them.
I can't go to his specific ships memorial as it is on the other side of the island, but I went to the liberation memorial in Stanley early this morning. Here they list every ship and regiment who helped, even if it was a supply ferry. Then behind the memorial are plaques listing all the British who never went home.
Later in the day I went to the museum and unexpectedly came across a remembrance room which has on the wall the photograph of everyone who died. That was emotional to see his face, the 17 year old photo taken when he joined. He came to the Falklands without even finishing his training so didn't even have a photograph with his HMS Ardent hat.
For the 40th anniversary of the conflict, the islander have renamed 225 places across the islands in honour of the fallen. If they were navy then it is water related, army etc land related. He now has a freshwater pond on the West Falkland Isle named in his honour.
Rest forever in peace, Ali x
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